Task 3: Describing a Scene
Objective: Describe what’s happening in a picture clearly, fluently, and vividly using present continuous tense, spatial language, and logical structure.
Overview
This task assesses your ability to:
- Describe a static image in detail
- Use present continuous grammar correctly
- Speak in a way that allows a listener to clearly visualize the scene
- Organize your response logically and fluently within the 60-second time limit
Time Limits
- Preparation Time: 30 seconds
- Speaking Time: 60 seconds
Sample Task 3 Question
Scoring Categories
| Scoring Area | What the Examiner Looks For |
| Coherence & Meaning | Is the response logically organized and easy to follow? |
| Lexical Range | Is the vocabulary rich, precise, and appropriate for what’s shown in the image? |
| Listenability | Is the speech smooth, clear, and connected with good rhythm and pronunciation? |
| Task Fulfillment | Does the response describe the image fully and in the correct tense? |
What to Do During the 30 Seconds of Preparation
Use your time wisely. You won’t have time to describe everything, so:
1. Scan the Entire Image
- What’s the setting? (e.g., park, street, store)
- How many people are visible?
2. Divide the Image into Zones
Split it mentally:
- Left → Center → Right, or
- Foreground → Background
3. Choose 5–6 Key Actions to Describe
Prioritize clear, unique actions (not repetitive or background-only items).
Use these questions:
- Who is doing something?
- What are they doing?
- Where are they in the scene?
4. Notice Details You Can Describe
- Clothing
- Movement
- Position (e.g., near, behind, beside)
- Facial expressions
- Any signs or unusual elements
5. Avoid Guessing Emotions or Intentions
Only describe what’s visually obvious. Don’t assume feelings unless they’re clearly shown.
Memory Framework: S.C.E.N.E.
Lancity’s recommended acronym for Task 3
| Letter | Step | What to Do |
| S | Start with Setting | Say where the scene takes place and mention general atmosphere |
| C | Cut into Sections | Mentally divide the image (left–right or front–back) |
| E | Explain Key Actions | Describe the 5–6 most important visible actions using present continuous |
| N | Name Spatial Details | Use prepositions to show where people/objects are located |
| E | End with a Summary | Wrap up with a general comment about the mood, scene, or what stands out |
Grammar Focus: Present Continuous Tense
The only correct tense for Task 3.
| Subject + “be” + Verb-ing | Examples |
| He is eating | “A man is eating an ice cream cone.” |
| They are playing | “Two children are playing with a soccer ball.” |
| She is sitting | “A woman is sitting on a bench and yelling.” |
Avoid using:
- Simple present: “She sits”
- Past tense: “He rode”
- Future: “They will…”
Spatial Language (Prepositions of Place)
Use these to describe where things are:
| Purpose | Prepositions |
| Relative Position | next to, beside, behind, in front of, between, across from |
| Specific Location | on, in, under, above, at, inside, outside |
| Direction | toward, away from, along, across |
Example:
“In the middle of the path, a man is riding a bicycle.”
“To the left of the cyclist, a dog is running toward two children.”
Sample Prompt for Task 3
Describe the scene in the image provided. You will have 30 seconds to prepare, and 60 seconds to speak.
Applying SCENE to the Provided Image
Let’s walk through the image step-by-step using the SCENE method.
S — Start with Setting
Begin by identifying the type of place, time of day, and overall feel.
“This is a busy park scene during the day, with many people doing different activities.”
C — Cut into Sections
To avoid chaos, mentally divide the picture. In this case:
- Left side
- Center
- Right side
This helps you avoid jumping randomly between ideas.
E — Explain Key Actions (Present Continuous)
Choose 5 to 6 meaningful, distinct actions across the zones.
- Left:
“A couple is sitting on a bench and arguing while holding ice cream.”
“A girl beside them is reacting with surprise.” - Center:
“Two children are eating ice cream and standing near a soccer ball.”
“An older man is sitting and feeding birds.”
“A cyclist is riding along the path.”
“A dog is running and barking while a boy chases it.”
“A baby is crying in a stroller.” - Right:
“Two people are playing loud music near a ‘Quiet Zone’ sign.”
“One is dancing, and the other is holding a speaker.”
“A person in the background is lying in a hammock.”
N — Name Spatial Relationships (Prepositions)
Use accurate prepositions to describe placement.
- “To the left of the cyclist…”
- “Next to the arguing couple…”
- “In front of the old man, a dog is barking.”
- “Behind the trees, someone is resting in a hammock.”
- “Beside the quiet zone sign, two people are playing music.”
E — End with a Summary
Wrap up with a final sentence that gives your general impression.
“Overall, the park looks loud, energetic, and a little chaotic, even though it’s supposed to be a quiet area.”
Sentence Templates
Scene Openers:
- “This is a lively park scene with many people doing different things.”
- “The picture shows a public space where multiple activities are taking place.”
Describing Zones:
- “On the left side, there is…”
- “In the center of the image, I can see…”
- “Toward the right, there are…”
Present Continuous Actions:
- “A man is riding a red bicycle on the path.”
- “Two children are holding ice cream cones and talking.”
- “A dog is barking and running past a group of people.”
- “A woman is sitting on a bench and shouting at someone.”
Using Prepositions:
- “Beside the cyclist, a man is sitting on a bench and feeding birds.”
- “Behind the trees, a person is lying in a hammock.”
- “In front of the ‘Quiet Zone’ sign, two people are playing loud music.”
Closers:
- “Overall, the scene looks very chaotic and noisy despite the quiet zone.”
- “The park seems crowded and full of activity.”
Vocabulary Bank (Based on the Provided Image)
| Category | Descriptive Vocabulary |
| People | elderly man, toddler, cyclist, couple, boy, photographer, musician, child in stroller |
| Actions | arguing, riding, shouting, pushing, chasing, barking, laughing, playing, recording |
| Emotions | angry, excited, scared, confused, surprised, relaxed, upset |
| Objects | ice cream, soccer ball, bench, leash, stroller, camera, hammock, trees, birds |
| Environment | park, walking path, quiet zone, grassy area, background forest |
Final Model Response (Based on Provided Image)
This image shows a busy public park where many people are doing different things.
On the left, a couple is sitting on a bench and arguing while holding ice cream. Nearby, a girl on another bench is raising her hand and looks surprised.
In the middle of the picture, two children are eating ice cream and standing next to a soccer ball. A man wearing a helmet is riding a red bicycle on the walking path. In front of him, an elderly man is feeding birds while a brown dog is running past, barking loudly. A young boy is chasing the dog, and a toddler in a stroller is crying.
On the right side, two people are standing under a “Quiet Zone” sign, but they are playing music from a speaker. One is dancing, and the other is holding a music device. Behind them, someone is lying in a hammock near a tree. A squirrel is also running through the grass.
Overall, the park looks noisy and crowded, with many things happening at once.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Lowers Your Score |
| Using the wrong tense | Present continuous is required for all actions |
| Listing without structure | Makes speech hard to follow; lowers coherence |
| Describing invisible thoughts or motives | Hurts task fulfillment; not supported by image evidence |
| Ignoring location language | Makes it harder to picture the scene clearly |
| Rushing to describe everything | Reduces clarity and fluency |